The development of aperiodic and periodic resting-state power between early childhood and adulthood: New insights from optically pumped magnetometers
Marlee M. Vandewouw, Julie Sato, Kristina Safar, Natalie Rhodes, Margot J. Taylor
Abstract
Neurophysiological signals, comprised of both periodic (e.g., oscillatory) and aperiodic (e.g., non-oscillatory) activity, undergo complex developmental changes between childhood and adulthood. With much of the existing literature primarily focused on the periodic features of brain function, our understanding of aperiodic signals is still in its infancy. Here, we are the first to examine age-related changes in periodic (peak frequency and power) and aperiodic (slope and offset) activity using optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs), a new, wearable magnetoencephalography (MEG) technology that is particularly well-suited for studying development. We examined age-related changes in these spectral features in a sample ( N =65) of toddlers (1–3 years), children (4–5 years), young adults (20–26 years), and adults (27–38 years). Consistent with the extant literature, we found significant age-related decreases in the aperiodic slope and offset, and changes in peak frequency and power that were frequency-specific; we are the first to show that the effect sizes of these changes also varied across brain regions. This work not only adds to the growing body of work highlighting the advantages of using OPMs, especially for studying development, but also contributes novel information regarding the variation of neurophysiological changes with age across the brain. • OPM-MEG is a new MEG technology suitable for very young children. • Resting-state OPM data were obtained in children (1–5yrs) and adults (20–38yrs). • Changes with age in aperiodic and periodic activity were frequency and region specific. • These data demonstrate the spatial specificity of neurophysiological development. • They also highlight the advantages of using OPM-MEG for studying development.